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Re: Hard rear air suspension

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 7:34 am
by XLoke
After all the good feedback and replyes + a check between the spikes on the rear rims I realize that subject titel was wrong  8) I do find that a little bit embarassing not knowing type of suspension.......

The problem is a hard rear air suspension. Height of the car seems to be ok, and it`s not falling down when parked so I dont think that leak is the problem!?

Either is the compressor pumping in to much air so the airbags have little or non air to compres, or ther is a blocked valve or something, or it could be the shocks.

Unfortunatley I do nothave acces to diagnose, so I have to learing by doing  :). But as Jaynana says, it`s and old car.....

Prehaps the best, cheapest and easiest is to rebuild to non air suspensin. Untill that I woluld like to know what is wrong and see the repair alternative against a rebuild.

Re: Hard rear air suspension

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 9:09 am
by jaynana
XLoke, what makes you conclude that there is an issue with your suspension?

bmws suspension is a bit 'stiff' by design to most ppls liking.. that's i believe is to achieve the necessary handling characteristics bmw pride on..

Re: Hard rear air suspension

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 10:10 am
by XLoke
It doens`t feel right - i feel like the rear sometimes is not i the contact with the road - but you do have a point ;).

It feel`s like to run a Citroen with empty spheres - if you have tried that......


I`we got this warning light a month ago, but the next time a started - it was gone.

Buuut nothing would be better that it`s nothing wrong  :)

Re: Hard rear air suspension

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 8:20 pm
by XLoke
Update after some quality time in the garage  :)

A clamp on the front sensor was loose. Tighten this, but adjustment may be and issue.
Checked both sensors in the rear suspension. They seems ok, and was not fastened.

When lifting the car on the jackpoints all the front an the rear wheels seems to have normal movements when the car leaves the floor.

After setting the car down again, I started the engine and checked the compressor. It run's, and the car lift some cm in the rear, and the compressor stops. This indicates that the compressor and sensor and the control unit work as intended. The compressor doesent start again, and the rear doesent go down when the engine stops. No leak is to be heard.

Inside the trunk there is two accumulators, ond for each side. Conected to the compressr ond the inlet, and the airbag on the outlet.  Is it just air inside or do they contain some gas or liquid i.e like Citroen??

The height warming light is still ignited, but no different in the road feeling - wich may be correct. Jayana do have a point; I have assumed that something is wrong, it might just be a acidental error code.

To be continued....

Re: Hard rear air suspension

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 8:25 pm
by Sanj
Have you tried the battery disconnect reset too? Not that we're assuming is wrong with the car.

If the height looks fine then you may be ok. Feel free to pop a pic up and we can all see.

Tyre pressure - is that correct? What are the tyres, standard or runflats. Worth checking.

Re: Hard rear air suspension

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 10:08 pm
by jaynana
so you have a height warning light ON? sorry missed that.

then the error log should tell you what the fault is.

didn't the garage hook up the diagnostics tool? they should and that should tell them what the fault is?

presume you don't have a scanner with you. most or some of us do.

where are you located mate? i'm thinking - maybe one of us can help - hook up a scanner and read the fault memory..?

Re: Hard rear air suspension

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 10:14 pm
by Horizon
Norway !!!!!!! :o :o :o :o :))

Re: Hard rear air suspension

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 10:15 pm
by Sanj
:))

Jay - get your coat!

Re: Hard rear air suspension

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 10:19 pm
by X5Sport
[quote="jaynana"]
where are you located mate? i'm thinking - maybe one of us can help - hook up a scanner and read the fault memory..?
[/quote]
:doh: :dead:

That's your weekend 'drive out' fixed then.... :))

Re: Hard rear air suspension

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 10:41 pm
by jaynana
:crazy1: that does it, done with this comp for today!


i'm gonna delete that post -he'd never see it, must be past mid-night for him now  :P

Re: Hard rear air suspension

Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2013 8:20 am
by XLoke
Thanx, but yes - Norway, and so far I wasn't planning for the UK this weekend  :)

We have a garage at work - not BMW garagae, only general Bosch diagnostic, and do-it-your-selves after closing hour  ;)

I'll drive by a BMW garage Next week  8)

Re: Hard rear air suspension

Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2013 9:24 am
by XLoke
I'we just came back from driving my daughter to a gymnastic session, and suddenly the indicator lamp went off  :-[ the car feels the same.

Any way, shall still go to a BMW garage Next week. Until then; which indicatorlamp surprice to I get  :)

Re: Hard rear air suspension

Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2013 11:20 am
by jaynana
[quote="XLoke"]
Thanx, but yes - Norway, and so far I wasn't planning for the UK this weekend  :)

[/quote]

now that we got that bit covered  :)) alternatively you could buy yourself a scanner 1.4.0? you can then read the cars memory yourself to see what faults exist..

pretty handy tool to have whilst you have this car...

Re: Hard rear air suspension

Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2013 11:35 am
by X5Sport
Great recovery Jay......well played.. :thumbsup:  :))